How was your first day of nursing school?
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For anyone else who started nursing school today (or anytime recently), what do you think so far? How did it go? Hope no one got scared away! I have my first class at 3:00, and I am so excited! I'm... Read More

Aug 22, '06

I don't think I'll ever catch up on the reading required.....it's like 300+ pages already....not counting stuff for our lab....the scary part of worrying about what I might be missing by not being able to read or comprehend everything I feel like I'm just skimming over....I just wanted to sit and cry last night!!

Aug 22, '06

Monday was our first day.
Basically it was a 2.5 hour orientation. We were told we have to buy another $96 book/testing kit and we also have to have a five panel drug screen. There was lots of groaning & whining, but I was thinking..."You're finally in the program, quit complaining & just do it." I came to be a nurse & if the instructor says I need another book well, ok. If they want to do a drug screen, fine by me. I was surprised they hadn't already asked for it.
Today was more orientation type stuff. Seems like they're easing us into the program for the first couple of days, but after that it will be work, work, work!
I really liked the faculty we've met so far. I'm just thrilled that after all this time finishing pre-reqs, etc... that we are finally into the nursing portion.
WooHoo

Aug 23, '06

I have only one thing to say. Why did I think it was a good idea to have lecture for one class and clinical for the other on the same day. It seemed brilliant at the time: I wouldn't have both my lectures on the same day and I would get a ride to clinical from one my friends. But clinical goes to 6 and I was worn out even though we just had lab... We'll see what it's like in 2 weeks when we actually start the clinical part.

Malia

Aug 23, '06

Our first day was pretty overwhelming. We just jumped in and have so many reading assignments and homework projects. We don't go to the hospital for four weeks, we will work in the skills lab to learn new procedures. We had our first math test in clinical today. They gave that to us first thing, so we could relax the rest of the day.
They told us it would be overwhelming the first three weeks. So here we go into week two on Monday.
:groupwelcome:

Aug 23, '06

[font="arial"]yes i was sooo nervous and excited. very, very overwhelming going over what we will be doing all sem. i think we all had that glazed look in our eyes. lecture for 3 hrs. that one hr break, then 1 more hour. tues will be the killer day, from 8-3 w/a one hour break. mostly lecture.

finally we had fun today doing baths, and bed making while someone was in it. i was laughing so hard as my "patient" mrs. smith, decided she was a he, and had a little operation, and spoke w/ a male voice but female anatomy. omg, i was laughing so hard trying to bathe her. luckily our teachers had a good sense of humor since we were on goal. when we all got back to lecture after that we had all loosened up quite a bit. i think that should be a first day event!

Last edit by Dublin37 on Aug 23, '06

Aug 24, '06

Mine was in Jan of 2005, but it was SO stressful. I used to drive about 40 miles and I had never driven at that time of day on this highway...so I was shocked when the traffic was atrocious! I was an hour late and I had to sit outside and wait for a break in the class as not to interupt. What a great way to start...

Aug 24, '06

I just started nursing school This past monday. I went to my first assesment lab today and was unable to take an accurate BP. I feel so dumb. Is anyone out there having a problem with this? It did not help that the person I was partenered with was an expert on taking BP. I am feeling so discouraged.

Aug 24, '06

Quote from ajdenurse

I just started nursing school This past monday. I went to my first assesment lab today and was unable to take an accurate BP. I feel so dumb. Is anyone out there having a problem with this? It did not help that the person I was partenered with was an expert on taking BP. I am feeling so discouraged.

My husband, who's a chiropractor, had a terrific headache a few weeks ago and asked if I would take his BP. I had only tried listening once before with a stethoscope in A & P II and that wasn't too successful.

He showed me how to put the cuff on and then tried to explain what to listen for with his cardiac stethoscope. I couldn't hear anything but the stethoscope rubbing back and forth. I could hear heart sounds on the chest, but nothing in the arm. I am petrified and have the same fears of having your same experience. I have a feeling it's just something we'll have to learn....along with the 3,000,000 other things this semester and the following!!!

Good luck and hang in there!!

Aug 29, '06

First we got introduced to some of the staff and 2 members of student council, then we had a slide show on the woman our building is named after (Helen Glass). We listened to a PHIA presentation and got our PHIA cards. Then we handed in our money to receive our name tags and crests, and selected where we want our clinical placements to be.
For lunch we had a BBQ with hot dogs, chips, and drinks. And I also bought my texts which came to $800. After lunch we had four presentations: how to use the library, how to use the computer lab, how to take multiple choice tests, and an orientation to our skills lab.
It went from 9-4.. I met a lot of people, it was fun, but at times boring.
I also got informed that there's a big stack of homework for skills lab. We have to study for a drug calc test for the 19th, which we need to get 90% on within 3 tries or we have to re-do 2nd year next year..
And we have to self-learn how to do bedmaking and bed baths (through reading and videos), and review vital signs and handwashing. I'm ready for a tough year!

Aug 29, '06

the first day went pretty well. Have a lot of reading to do though!!!

we just went through the syllabus and started the lecture. my first day was not as bad as i thought it would be. I was really excited to see that we have a lot of guys and that we are a very diverse group. I think it is going to be a good year......

so far so good!

Aug 30, '06

You guys--palpate the brachial pulse BEFORE you even start--then you will know where to put your scope and will be able to hear the thumps!!!!

If you cant figure it out, please go to skills lab. Or ask a fellow classmate--they will help you!

Last edit by allthingsbright on Sep 1, '06

Aug 30, '06

Quote from allthingsbright

You guys--palpate the brachial pulse BEFORE you even start--then you will know where to put your scope and will be able to hear the thumps!!!!

Well, you are MUCH brighter than my husband is!! And how wonderful to have folks at school who know HOW to instruct you to take a BP....once they reviewed it in class (2-step process) and mentioned to palpate for that location, it was a breeze....the only problem I will have is seeing the EXACT location where I should be doing the reading....can't they make these in digital like everything else?!?! My 50-year-old eyes are struggling to see the hash marks!!

Aug 30, '06

My first day was way overwhelming. Class from 9a-8p. Tuesday was orientation 9-4 and they didn't even provide us lunch! Nothing! We all though they should have done something. Our orientation was in an out of the way building so we thought they would help us out, but nope. I think that I am expecting too much since my undergrad school was always throwing parties for the students.
Today was much better. I know where all my classes are and where to go. We are buried in reading and required skills checks. My school has a required program, the LSRN to prepare us for the NCLEX-RN. I guess I'll have no life for the next 1 1/2 years.